Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On 2017: Planning Your Trip

For those of you travelling to this year’s Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On on Friday 1^st September, please note that due to industrial action, there will be some disruption to train services operated by Northern Rail on Friday 1st September.

Northern Rail will be operating reduced services into the resort between 7am and early evening on Friday 1^st September, with the last service departing Blackpool at 7.40pm. That means if you travel into the resort by rail for the Switch-On concert that evening, you will need to make alternative arrangements to get home. Train services that do run are expected to be very busy.
 
Details of Northern Rail’s revised timetables during strike action can be found on www.northernrailway.co.uk/industrialaction or go to www.journeycheck.com/northernrail
 
Alternatively, you might want to consider:
 
Travelling in by car. In order to assist Switch-On visitors, Blackpool Council will be giving free use of all of its pay-and-display car parks between 4pm and midnight on Friday 1 September (excluding Talbot Road Car Park). You can view the list of car parks here.
 
Staying over. Blackpool has a wide range of visitor accommodation at prices to suit all budgets. You can view a list of recommended accommodation here.
 
Please note that the gates for the Switch-On concert will open at 4pm and the concert will finish at around 10pm. The running order (approximate times and maybe subject to change) is as follows:
 
4.30pm: Blackpool Introduces: Talent Showcase
5.30pm: MTV Base Garage Anthems
6.30pm: R3Wire & Varski
7.15pm: Louisa Johnson
8.00pm: Conor Maynard
8.30pm: Diversity
9.00pm: Star Trek Switch-On
9.10pm: Example and DJ Wire
 
Please note you will only be able to access the Switch-On Arena on the Tower Festival Headland if you have an official Switch-On wristband or VIP pass.